Raman and infrared spectra of spermidine and spermine and their hydrochlorides and phosphates as a basis for the study of the interactions between polyamines and nucleic acids

Abstract The Raman and infrared spectra of the polyamines spermidine and spermine and of their corresponding hydrochlorides and phosphates have been studied. These systems can be regarded as models of the molecular interactions between polyamines and nucleic acids, and the observed spectra are discussed in relation to this. Medium strong and strong NHCl and NHO hydrogen bonds are present in both the polyamine hydrochlorides and phosphates and the proton is predominantly located on the nitrogen atom. In the case of the phosphates, the Raman spectra indicate the formation of HPO groups, which can also interact among themselves by strong OHO hydrogen bonds.